Elliptical exercise device with movable pivot axis

ABSTRACT

An elliptical-type exercise device provides a modified foot action. The device includes a frame, an axle, and an axle retainer for supporting the axle on the frame so that it is rotatable about a pivot axis. The retainer allows the axle to move relative to the frame so as to displace the pivot axis. A first and a second foot link are coupled to the axle so that a first end of each foot link travels in an arcuate path. The device includes a guide which directs the second ends of the foot links in a reciprocal or non-reciprocal path of travel.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/483,377 filed Jun. 27, 2003, entitled“Elliptical Exercise Device with Movable Pivot Axis.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to exercise equipment. Morespecifically, the invention relates to elliptical exercise devices. Mostspecifically, the invention relates to elliptical exercise devices inwhich at least one pivot axis of the device is movable relative to theframe of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Elliptical exercise devices are configured and operable to permita user's feet to travel in an elliptical path which simulates a naturalrunning and stepping motion which avoids jarring shocks and strainswhich can damage joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles. The smooth,pleasant action achieved by elliptical exercise devices is conducive toextended aerobic exercise; hence, elliptical exercise devices are inwidespread use, and a number of embodiments are known in the art.

[0004] The basic concept of elliptical exercise devices was first shownin U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,343 and 5,383,829. As described therein, anelliptical exercise device generally includes a frame which isconfigured to support the remainder of the device on a support surfacesuch as a floor or the ground. The device includes a pair of foot linkswhich are elongated members, each having a foot engaging portion. Afirst end of each foot link is coupled to an axle by means of a couplingmember such as a crank arm. The axle is typically supported by the frameand is rotatable about a pivot axis defined therethrough. Rotation ofthe axle causes the first ends of the foot links to travel in an arcuatepath. Depending upon the geometry of the device and the configuration ofthe coupling members, the arcuate path may or may not encompass thepivot axis. Within the context of this disclosure, an arcuate path isunderstood to be a closed, curved, path of travel such as a circularpath, an oval path, or a more complex closed, at least partially curved,path.

[0005] The foot links also engage a guide which operates to direct asecond end of each foot link in a path of travel which can be reciprocalor non-reciprocal. In the context of this disclosure, a reciprocal pathof travel is meant to define any back-and-forth path of travel which isrepetitively traversed by the end of the foot link in which the forwardpath and the rearward path are substantially coincident. The reciprocalpath of travel may be linear, curved or a complex combination of linearand curved paths. The devices depicted in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,242,343and 5,383,829 have foot links with ends which travel in a reciprocalpath. In the context of this disclosure, a non-reciprocal path of travelis meant to define a back-and-forth motion wherein the end of the footlink follows a first path on a forward stroke, and a second path on arearward stroke, and wherein the paths are at least partiallynon-coincident. Devices in which ends of the foot links travel along anon-reciprocal path are shown in pending U.S. patent Ser. No.10/760,844, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0006] The combination of arcuate and reciprocal or non-reciprocaltravel causes the foot engaging portion of the foot links to travel inan elliptical path. Within the context of this disclosure, an ellipticalpath of travel is understood to mean a true mathematical ellipse, aswell as paths having other ellipsoid shapes such as oval paths,flattened ellipses, curved ellipses, ellipses with flattened or concaveportions, and the like. There are a large number of embodiments ofelliptical exercise devices which are configured along these generalprinciples. In some instances, there is a need or desire to furthermodify the foot action achieved by elliptical exercise devices, andtoward that end, the present invention provides an exercise device inwhich the pivot axis associated with the axle is movable relative to theremainder of the device during its operational cycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] There is disclosed herein an exercise device which comprises aframe and an axle, wherein the axle is supported on the frame by an axleretainer so that the axle is rotatable about a pivot axis definedtherethrough, and so that the axle can move so as to displace the pivotaxis relative to the frame. The exercise device also includes a firstand a second foot link each having a foot engaging portion, and a firstand a second coupling member, each associated with a respective one ofthe foot links for pivotably coupling that foot link to the axle so thata first end of the foot link travels in an arcuate path. The device mayalso include a guide which engages the foot link so as to direct asecond end of each foot link along the path of travel as the first endtravels in the arcuate path. The guide may be operative to direct thesecond ends of the foot links in a path of travel which is inclinedrelative to the floor. In some embodiments, the guide may comprise oneor more tracks, and in other embodiments, the guide may comprise a pairof swing arms.

[0008] In specific embodiments, the axle retainer may comprise a swinglink which is pivotally supported on the frame, and the device may alsoinclude a biasing member associated in mechanical communication with aswing link. The biasing member is operative to urge the swing link intoa preselected position. The biasing member may comprise a spring,elastomeric body, hydraulic cylinder, pneumatic cylinder, counterweight,or other such device. In another embodiment, the axle retainer willinclude a journal which rotatably supports the axle, and a resilientmember which supports the journal upon the frame. In yet anotherembodiment, the axle retainer may include a support block whichrotatably supports the axle, as well as a guide way which slidablysupports the block so that the block can move in at least one directionrelative to the frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIGS. 1-4 are depictions of some specific embodiments of exercisedevice structured in accord with the principles of the presentinvention;

[0010]FIG. 5 is a depiction of a portion of an exercise device showingan axle retainer structured in accord with the principles of the presentinvention; and

[0011]FIG. 6 is a depiction of a portion of an exercise devicestructured in accord with the principles of the present inventionshowing another embodiment of axle retainer of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] In accord with the present invention, there is provided anexercise device which includes a frame and an axle. The axle issupported by an axle retainer so that it is rotatable about a pivot axisdefined therethrough and so that the axle can move so as to displace itspivot axis relative to the frame. The device also includes a first and asecond foot link each having a foot engaging portion, and a first andsecond coupling member each associated with a respective one of the footlinks for pivotally coupling the foot link to the axle so that a firstend of the foot link travels along a first path which is arcuate. Theexercise device also includes a guide operative to engage the foot linksand direct the second end of each foot link along a second path oftravel as the first end travels along the first, arcuate path. In accordwith these general principles, a number of embodiments of the inventionmay be implemented.

[0013] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a first embodiment ofexercise device structured in accord with the principles of the presentinvention. As illustrated therein, the device 10 includes a frame 12.Pivotally affixed to the frame 12 is an axle retainer 14 having an axle16 rotatably supported therein as for example by a journal or otherbearing arrangement. The axle 16 defines and is rotatable about a pivotaxis which extends therethrough. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, the axlesupport 14 comprises a swing link which is capable of pivoting on theframe, and the exercise device includes a pair of biasing springs 18 a,18 b. These springs are attached to the frame 12 and to the axleretainer 14 and serve to keep the retainer 14 centered at a preselectedposition. It is to be understood that the springs 18 could be greater orfewer in number, and they can be otherwise disposed. They also could bereplaced with elastomeric bodies such as synthetic or natural rubber, orby other biasing devices such as hydraulic cylinders, pneumaticcylinders, or counterweights. It will be appreciated from the drawingthat movement of the axle retainer 14 will result in correspondingmovement of the axle 16 and the axle axis, relative to the frame. Asillustrated, this motion is an up-and-down motion relative to the frame.In the operation of prior art devices, as the axle rotates, the axis isfixed relative to the frame.

[0014] The device further includes a first and a second foot link 20 a,20 b, and each foot link includes a foot engaging portion 22 a, 22 bthereupon. A first end of each foot link 22 is coupled to the axle 16 bya coupling member, which in this embodiment comprises a crank arm 24 a,24 b. Rotation of the axle 16 causes the crank arms 24 to move theirrespective foot links 22 so that the first ends of the foot links 22travel in an arcuate path, as defined therein. As illustrated, thearcuate path is a circular path which encompasses the pivot axis. Inother embodiments of the invention, the coupling members may becomprised of complex linkages, and in such embodiments, the arcuate pathmay be non-circular and/or it may not encompass the pivot axis.

[0015] The FIG. 1 embodiment further includes a guide which comprises atrack 26 which engages the first end of each of the foot links 20 anddirects them in a reciprocal path. In other embodiments of theinvention, the guide may comprise a pair of swing arms or any othermechanical linkage which provides the reciprocal motion. Also, while inthe FIG. 1 embodiment, the guide track 26 engages the foot links 20 bymeans of rollers affixed to the ends of the foot links 20, the guide mayotherwise engage the foot links provided that it is operative to directthe second ends in a reciprocal path of travel.

[0016] In the operation of the device, a user stands on the foot links,with his or her feet placed on the support pads 22. The user pushes downand back on one foot link, and this drives the other forward and up.This causes the first ends of the foot links 20 to move in the arcuatepath and the second ends in the reciprocal path thereby providing anelliptical foot motion. In the FIG. 1 embodiment, force applied to thefoot links imposes a torque on the axle 16, which causes the axleretainer 14 to move against the biasing force of the springs 18, therebycausing displacement of the pivot axis. When the torque is relieved, thebiasing force restores the pivot axis to its centered point. This motionof the pivot axis will modify the foot action achieved by the device.

[0017] As further illustrated in FIG. 1, a flywheel 28 is coupled to theaxle by a pulley (not shown) and a drive belt 29. The flywheel isoptional, but provides for a smoother foot motion. Yet other assembliessuch as braking devices, speedometers, odometers and the like may beincorporated into the device. Also, the springs 18, or other biasingmembers, may be configured and disposed so as to allow for adjustment ofthe biasing force provided thereby. In this manner, the degree of pivotaxis motion can be controlled. All of such embodiments are within thescope of the invention.

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown another version 30 of theexercise device of the present invention. The exercise device 30 of FIG.2 is configured in a generally similar manner to that of FIG. 1 insofaras it includes foot links 20 a, 20 b, a guide, which comprises a track26, a frame 12, and an axle retainer 14 which supports an axle 16defining a pivot axis. In this embodiment, the axle retainer 14 is aswing link which is pivotally mounted on the frame in a generallyvertical relationship to the base of the frame so as to allow the pivotaxis to move back and forth in a generally horizontal direction. Asillustrated, springs 32 a, 32 b bias the axle retainer 14 to apreselected centered position. In other versions of the FIG. 2apparatus, the axle retainer may be biased by a coil spring disposed atthe point where the retainer 14 is supported on the frame, or it may bebiased by other devices such as elastomeric bodies, hydraulic cylinders,pneumatic cylinders or other mechanical devices such as counterweightsand the like.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown yet another embodiment 40of the present invention. The FIG. 3 embodiment includes a frame 12,foot links 20 a, 20 b and a guide ramp 26 as previously described. TheFIG. 3 embodiment also includes an axle retainer 14 pivotally supportedon the frame in a manner generally similar to that of FIG. 1. As in theprevious embodiments, the axle retainer 14 rotatably supports an axle 16defining a pivot axis. As in the previous embodiments, the first ends ofthe foot links 24 a, 24 b are coupled to the axle 16 by crank arms 24 a,24 b. However, in the FIG. 3 embodiment, one of the crank arms, in thisinstance crank arm 24 a, is also pivotally coupled to the frame 12 by acontrol link 42. As the crank arm 24 a rotates about the pivot axis A,the control link 42 will cause the axle retainer 14 to move up and downthereby displacing the pivot axis A accordingly. In some instances, theapparatus 40 may include a second control link associated with thesecond crank arm 24 b. Other mechanical arrangements may be configuredin accord with these general principles. For example, the axle 16 mayhave a cam associated therewith, and the cam could be utilized to raiseand lower the axle retainer. Yet other arrangements will be apparent toone of skill in the art.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown yet another embodiment ofthe present invention. In this embodiment 50, the axle retainer includesa support block 52 which rotatably supports the crank axle 16. The axleretainer further includes a guide way 54 which slidably retains thesupport block 52 so that the support block can move back and forthrelative thereto. As illustrated, a pair of biasing springs 56 a, 56 bare disposed in the guide way 54 so as to keep the support block 52centered at a preselected position.

[0021] As in the previous embodiments, crank arms 24 a, 24 b are coupledto the axle. Torque imposed on the axle 16 by the crank arms 24 willcause the support block 52 to slide back and forth in the guide way 54against the biasing force of the springs 56.

[0022] The FIG. 4 embodiment further differs from the previousembodiments in that the guide which directs the second ends of the footlinks is comprised of a pair of swing arms 58 a, 58 b. The swing arms 58are pivotally mounted on an upright portion of the frame 12, and eachengages the second end of a respective foot link and directs it along areciprocal path of travel. Other guide arrangements may be incorporatedin this and other embodiments of the invention.

[0023] It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that modificationsto this device may be readily implemented. For example, the biasingsprings 56 may be made adjustable so as to control the amount ofdisplacement of the support block 52 which will occur for a given levelof torque. Also, the springs 56 may be replaced by other biasingelements such as elastomeric bodies, hydraulic cylinders, pneumaticcylinders, counterweights and the like. Also, while the guide way 54 isshown as providing for the horizontal travel of the support block 52,the guide way may be otherwise oriented, for example as to permit motionin a vertical plane or in a plane inclined relative to the horizontal orvertical. Also, this embodiment, as is the case with all of the otherembodiments of this invention, may be implemented with coupling membersand guide members other than those shown herein.

[0024] For example, the foregoing description has been directed toexercise devices in which the second ends of the foot links traverse areciprocal path. The invention, as mentioned above, may also beincorporated into devices in which the second ends of the foot linkstravel in a non-reciprocal path. In such devices, resilient or flexiblelinkages incorporated into the guide provide the non-reciprocating pathof travel and provide a foot motion which follows an elliptical,modified elliptical or non-elliptical path. The structure and functionof the present invention, while complementary to, is independent of, themotion provided to the second ends of the foot links by the guide.Consequently, the present invention may be used in conjunction with anumber of variously configured exercise devices.

[0025] Yet other embodiments of the present invention may beimplemented. For example, FIG. 5 depicts a portion of a frame 12 havingan axle 16 rotatably supported thereupon by a retainer 14 whichconstitutes a journal bearing which in turn is supported on the frame bya body of elastomeric material 58 disposed therebetween. In thisembodiment, the pivot axis A is free to move in multiple directionsrelative to the frame 12. FIG. 6 depicts a somewhat similar arrangementwherein a frame 12 has an axle 16 rotatably supported thereupon by aretainer 14 which in turn is supported on the frame by a plurality ofsprings 60 a-h.

[0026] As was detailed above, various embodiments of exercise devicesare known in the prior art; and while the present invention has beendescribed with reference to some specific types of elliptical exercisedevices, the principles of the present invention may be readilyincorporated into other exercise devices. Therefore, it is to beunderstood that the foregoing drawings, discussion and description areillustrative of specific embodiments of the invention, but are not meantto be limitations upon the practice thereof. It is the following claims,including all equivalents, which define the scope of the invention.

1. An exercise device comprising: a frame; an axle; an axle retainer forsupporting said axle on said frame so that said axle is rotatable abouta pivot axis defined therethrough, and so that said axle can move so asto displace the pivot axis relative to the frame; a first and a secondfoot link each having a foot engaging portion; and a first and a secondcoupling member each associated with a respective one of said foot linksfor pivotally coupling said foot link to said axle so that a first endof said foot link travels in an arcuate path.
 2. The exercise device ofclaim 1, wherein said first and second coupling members are configuredso that the first end of the respective foot link of each couplingmember travels in an arcuate path which encompasses the pivot axis. 3.The exercise device of claim 1, wherein said axle retainer comprises aswing link which is pivotally supported on said frame.
 4. The exercisedevice of claim 3, wherein said swing link includes a journal whichrotatably supports the axle so that said axle is rotatable about thepivot axis.
 5. The exercise device of claim 3, further including abiasing member associated in mechanical communication with said swinglink, said biasing member being operative to urge the swing link to apreselected position.
 6. The exercise device of claim 9, wherein saidbiasing member is selected from the group consisting of: springs,elastomeric bodies, hydraulic cylinders, pneumatic cylinders,counterweights, and combinations thereof.
 7. The exercise device ofclaim 1, wherein said axle retainer comprises a journal for rotatablysupporting said axle, and at least one resilient member which supportssaid journal upon said frame.
 8. The exercise device of claim 7, whereinsaid at least one resilient member comprises a member selected from thegroup consisting of: springs, elastomeric bodies, hydraulic cylinders,pneumatic cylinders, counterweights, and combinations thereof.
 9. Theexercise device of claim 1, wherein said axle retainer comprises asupport block which rotatably supports said axle so that said axle isrotatable about said pivot axis, said retainer further comprising aguide way for slidably supporting said support block so that saidsupport block can move in at least one direction relative to said frame.10. The exercise device of claim 9, further including at least onebiasing member associated with said retainer and being operative toimpose a biasing force on the support block so as to urge said supportblock in a first direction relative to said frame.
 11. The exercisedevice of claim 1, further including a guide operative to engage saidfoot links and direct a second end of each foot link along a path oftravel as the first end of said foot link travels along said arcuatepath.
 12. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein the frame isconfigured to be supported on a floor and wherein the guide isconfigured and operative to direct the second end of each foot linkalong a path of travel which is inclined relative to said floor.
 13. Theexercise device of claim 11, wherein said guide is operative to directsaid second ends of said foot links in a reciprocal path of travel. 14.The exercise device of claim 11, wherein said guide is operative todirect said second ends of said foot links in a non-reciprocal path oftravel.
 15. The exercise device of claim 11, wherein said guide includesa first and a second swing arm, each swing arm being operative to engagea respective one of said foot links so as to guide the second end of itsrespective foot link in said path.
 16. In an exercise device of the typecomprising: a frame; an axle which is rotatable about a pivot axisdefined therethrough; a first and a second foot link, each having a footengaging portion; a first and a second coupling member, each associatedwith a respective one of said foot links for pivotally coupling saidfoot link to said pivot axis so that said first end of said foot linktravels in an arcuate path; and a guide operative to engage the footlinks and direct the second end of each foot link along a path of travelas the first end of the foot link travels along the arcuate path oftravel; the improvement comprising: said axle being movably supported onsaid frame so that said pivot axis is movable relative to the frame whenthe first ends of the foot links travel in said arcuate path.